Nervous system responses to work - site chemicals - toxicological basis

A number of materials which are applied in the chemical industry in the work environment are liable to produce injury to health, particularly neurotoxic disturbances, when absorbed by the organism. The effects exerted are determined by the anatomic-structural factors of the nervous system and the physico-chemical characteristics of a given neurotoxicant. Some of the materials to be considered exhibit pronounced affinities for certain structures and ganglion groups in the central or peripheral nervous system. This gives rise to specific patterns of morphologic or functional disturbances or lesions and ultimately leads to the development of different clinical symptoms which manifest themselves as distinct intoxication pictures characteristic of certain work-site chemicals. Currently available suggestions for a grouping of industrial neurotoxicants which is both systematic and convenient to handle for practical purposes take their bearing from the clinical and morphologic-structural features reported in the literature.